The School of Rock Goes on Tour

The School of Sound Recording is going on tour in Manchester and Cheshire, as part of Northwest Vision and Media’s upcoming Skills Roadshows. People looking to get into the creative media industry will be able to talk with SSR’s Principal, Ian Hu about their training facilities and courses on offer.

SSR has also been named Facility of the Month for December by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the TV, film, radio, digital and games industries in the Northwest to grow a world-class media economy within the region.

“This is just fantastic,” says Ian. “With all that SSR is doing and becoming, it couldn’t be a better time. We can’t wait to get out on the road!”

SSR began life as Spirit Studios on Downing Street, Manchester, a commercial recording studio set up by John Breakell in 1980 and used by bands like the Smiths, the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays.

John’s passion for music and for sharing his knowledge soon led him to transform the studio into an audio training college in 1984. SSR is now driven by Ian, and by the Director of Education, Wendy Breakell, who is also John’s sister and a former Deputy Head.

Wendy is proud of her brother’s original vision: “John started with just one studio, two rooms and a vision for the future,” she says. “Today we have 13 studios and edit suites, classrooms and computer suites, and even a live venue.”

Wendy and Ian are also keen make sure SSR builds on John’s original idea of nurturing people. “His ethos for SSR has always been to develop a culture where people grow, it’s a family. We like to think we offer stability, and a place to return to even once your course has finished.”

Ian explains the vast range of courses on offer at SSR: “We have a full range of specialist training, from short one day courses to degrees. We have official recognition from a number of organisations including the BBC, and we are one of only four accredited Digidesign Pro Schools in the country.

“We now have around 30 staff, including industry and guest lecturers. These are creative, dedicated people looking to give something back and share their experiences. We feel privileged that these people want to be a part of SSR,” he smiles.

Students at SSR range from experienced media freelancers looking to update their knowledge of new technology, to young people interested in a career in audio engineering. Wendy is keen to ensure SSR is a natural progression route for kids of any age.

She says: “I’ve developed a great relationship with schools and colleges in the Northwest, we’re doing a lot of work with 14-19 year olds to make sure they know their options for going into this kind of work. We partner with a number of local universities in Lancaster, Bolton, and Preston, and run all sorts of courses with them.”

As well as utilising state-of-the-art equipment and working with tutors well versed in the industry, students also benefit from SSR’s partnerships with key industry organisations. Thanks to SSR’s partnership with Wigwam Acoustics, students are offered field trips to sound checks for professional concerts at the MEN Arena, such as Girls Aloud, and training placements can take place anywhere from MUTV or Key 103, to the Bridgewater Hall.

Having established themselves as the place to go for audio training, SSR are now looking forward to the future and expanding. Parts of the SSR building are currently under construction, making way for four new video editing suites, two post-production studios, a green screen cyclorama and a radio studio.

“We’re delighted that we’ll have these new facilities online soon,” says Ian. “Within the industry there is a big shift at the moment, and people in audio engineering are no longer just going into music or TV or radio. With the advent of digital technology, to be successful in the industry people need to be flexible and aware of all kinds of media, and in 2009 we’ll be the place that offers the whole lot.”

By taking part in the upcoming skills roadshow, SSR are hoping to meet a whole new generation of students to take advantage of their facilities and support. “We’re looking forward to letting people know what we’ve got to offer,” says Ian. “And we’re really excited to be meeting some new faces.”

· SSR will be at the skills roadshow in Cheshire on the 10th December, and Manchester on 12th December